Man says meeting Hillary Clinton changed his life

Saturday

When Jason Kinney was working at APAC in Utica in 1999, he thought it would be interesting to see Hillary Clinton speak at a local nursing home during her campaign for state Senate.

When Jason Kinney was working at APAC in Utica in 1999, he thought it would be interesting to see Hillary Clinton speak at a local nursing home during her campaign for state Senate.

He never imagined the event, which took place over his lunch break, would dramatically change his life.

“I was 19 years old at that time, and I couldn't afford college,” said the Frankfort native, who now lives in Omaha, Neb.

He works in marketing and corporate sales for the Omaha Royals, a minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

However, Kinney, 28, whose cousin Joseph Kinney is the Frankfort town supervisor, caught Clinton's eye and the two started talking.

“Her staffers took down my name and number and whenever she was in a 100-mile radius between 1999 and 2003, they would give me a call,” Kinney said. “Between those times, I enrolled in HCCC. She inspired me.”

Clinton invited Kinney to the New York State Democratic Convention, where she won the nomination for Senate, piquing his interest in politics.

Kinney eventually transferred to the University of Nebraska and graduated last year with a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and advertising. Having only kept in contact with Clinton's staff, he wrote to Clinton, thanking her.

“I don't know why I went to that event in 1999, but if I didn't have the opportunity to meet her, I might not be where I am today,” Kinney said. “I truthfully believe that.”

Since Kinney lives near Iowa - perhaps the biggest state a presidential-hopeful needs to win - Clinton and Kinney joined forces once again this year.

“Iowa is a huge state in the primaries,” Kinney explained over the phone. “If she wins there on Jan. 3, she gets a good bounce going into the New Hampshire primary - another important one. Basically, after New Hampshire, the lesser candidates die off. Now you are getting into Super Tuesdays and whatnot; more money is being spent in states like New York, California and Florida.”

When they reunited in May, Clinton's staffers didn't tell her Kinney would be waiting at the Iowa airport to ride in her motorcade.

“'You told me we'd meet up once again, and here you are,'” Clinton said to Kinney.

Since then, Kinney has hosted meetings for Omaha Democrats, doing whatever he can to help the Senator out in her bid for President.

“She's a person with complete understanding and the most experience,” Kinney said as to why the public should vote for Clinton. “She understands small businesses and small farming, which is important to Upstate New York. She understands higher education is key for the next generation. It boils down to experience.”